Workday Habits and Fatigue of American Jockeys.

Objective: 1) Characterize the workday habits of American jockeys, and 2) Evaluate the relationship between workday habits and fatigue through changes in postural stability (balance) across their workday.

Methods: Thirty-seven jockeys participated in pre- and post-race day testing. Jockeys completed questionnaires on workday habits and a two-minute balance test with tri-axial accelerometers on the unstable surface and sacrum.

The Triple-E Model: Advancing Equestrian Research with Perspectives from One Health.

Equestrian sport has various welfare issues and educational needs. To address these complex interactions, we propose an integrated approach called the Triple-E Model, which focuses on the equine, equestrian, and environmental triad. A literature review of existing models suggests that complexities of these interactions are overlooked, despite the significant impact of equine industries on economics, healthcare, and animal welfare.

Self-Reported Physical Activity and Perception of Athleticism in American Equestrian Athletes.

Background: Over 75% of American adults are not meeting aerobic and muscular physical activity recommendations, with the majority being females. Equestrian activities are a potential avenue to increase physical activity, especially in females who account for approximately 90% of sport participants. This study describes perceptions of equestrian activities and establishes the patterns of self-reported equestrian, barn work, and nonequestrian physical activity engagement to understand participation in activities that may sustain physical activity across the lifespan.

Combined driving: task-specific position impacts grip strength of equestrian athletes.

Background: Loss of hand strength is a predictor of mortality in aging populations. Despite reliance on the hands to participate in equestrian driving activity, no existing studies focus on associations of hand strength to athletic performance. Therefore, this study 1) established baseline handgrip of equestrian combined drivers in standing and task-specific positions, 2) determined endurance of task-specific handgrip, 3) compared handgrip strength to normative data, and 4) evaluated associations of handgrip and equestrian-specific variables.

The Effect of Stirrup Length on Impact Attenuation and Its Association With Muscle Strength.

Keener, MM, Critchley, ML, Layer, JS, Johnson, EC, Barrett, SF, and Dai, B. The effect of stirrup length on impact attenuation and its association with muscle strength. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 3056-3062, 2021-Horseback-riders have a high prevalence of low back injuries, which may be related to the repetitive low back impacts experienced in riding.

The effects of mid-flight whole-body and trunk rotation on landing mechanics: implications for anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

The purpose was to quantify the effects of mid-flight whole-body and trunk rotation on knee mechanics in a double-leg landing. Eighteen male and 20 female participants completed a jump-landing-jump task in five conditions: no rotation, testing leg ipsilateral or contralateral (WBRC) to the whole-body rotation direction, and testing leg ipsilateral (TRI) or contralateral to the trunk rotation direction. The WBRC and TRI conditions demonstrated decreased knee flexion and increased knee abduction angles at initial contact (2.